Hello ladies and gents... I just recently picked up a very clean boxed 696 no dash and I was wondering about some good resources for reasonably priced 44Spl ammo for it. I would like to stay away from reloads and solid lead rounds, but it looks like there isn't much of a way to avoid that if I want to keep costs down. I don't reload so I'm merely trying to find some good ammo at a reasonable price. I've heard you can also shoot 44 Russian though this gun but I thought that was a black power load, right?

I also wanted to inquire about speed loaders for this gun. I've seen the HKS ones but I am not a huge fan of those. I wanted to see if there were any more options out there that I may have overlooked and/or don't know about. Thanks for everyone's time in advance, have a great day!

Here's a couple of photo's before anyone asks! lol




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Bossier City. My dad was there in WW2. Army Air Corps.
Now, down to business. You have a great revolver there.
For a speed loader, look no further than SpeedBeez:

Ammo is a tougher business. No cheap and good 44 Special out there.
44 Special is really a handloader's cartridge.
Winchester Silvertip is the only factory 44 Special I've tried.
Shoots well and is accurate.

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Very interesting... those speed loaders look like a modified Dade speedloader. I used to own a few for a MKIII Colt Trooper I used to own.

I've found zero 44Spl ammo in my neck of the woods, I will keep looking unless I run across a decent deal on some online, thanks for the suggestions Taroman.


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Speed Beez has my vote as well.

When I had my Dade speed loaders they had a issue with the rounds coming out of the loader if I dropped the speed loaded. Even if it was on carpet, I think it was due to the spring that went around the whole speed loader itself. Do these have the same issue that the old Dade speed loaders have?


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I have never done a drop test but suspect that if it landed "wrong" then release is likely.

Very nice piece!

The HKS loaders for the Charter .44 Bulldog work.

Our guns are twins

I purchased a NIB 696-0 several months ago.I drove 4 hrs to get it and then 4 hrs back.

If you eliminate lead bullets it becomes very limited choices for factory loaded ammo and it is highly priced.Some only available in 20rd boxes.

I reload so I can make a box of 50 44spl/44mag 240gr LSWC for close to $5.50 with my selected components.

Loading jacketed,coated and plated bullets raises the cost.

EDIT:an alternative to speed loaders is strip loaders that are best for pocket carrying a full reload.

Attached Images

696-0.jpg (187.1 KB, 15 views)

__________________
NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Buying a 696 and after the complimentary box of Remington Hi-Speed 44SPL seeing the price (1997) of another box of 50 I invested in reloading.
Now pretty much the only store bought ammo is 22LR. If 9mm gets much cheaper I may start buying that again.

I guess I have about 1000 44mag cases and around 600 44spl cases.

I reload 99% for target shooting.I load in the garage on a Lee Classic 4 hole turret press.38spl,357mag,44spl,44mag,45acp,45AR,45Colt

I buy my 22lr and 9mm ammo

44spl case
240gr LSWC
4.2gr Trail Boss
S&B LPP
1.480" OAL

44mag case
240gr LSWC
5.0gr Bullseye
S&B LPP
1.600" OAL

__________________
NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Groo here
Ammo Seek Precision one about $21 a box.
Get some brass and reload.

Thanks Groo, I'm going to try to order some of this when I get paid Thursday. Hopefully they don't charge a arm and a leg for shipping.


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I use the HKS 5 hole 44 loader designed for the Bulldog.
BUT the Charter has a slightly smaller cylinder and the rounds don't line up exactly when loading a 696.
A bit of a shake and they do go in but you may want to practice if you ever get any of these.
They are now somewhat over-priced for the simple mechanism they are IMHO.

As far as ammo goes, I also reload but do occasionally get some factory 44 special rounds for SD carry.
For that purpose I use the Speer 200 Gold Dot ammo.
It's expensive though. Blazer's version in aluminum cases are a little cheaper ($.83/round, box of 50).
"Cowboy" ammo with lead bullets is the cheapest factory 44 special there is running $.65-$.70 a cartridge.
I buy what little ammo I do get online... mostly from Midway but sometimes from Natchez and a couple others.
44 Special - 21819 - MidwayUSA
Make sure you save all the used brass.
If you don't end up reloading it, others in here will certainly be interested in buying it from you.

Not sure why you don't want to shoot cast but you will find they shoot great in the 696.
Mine measures .431" in the throats.
Plated or coated will eliminate leading if that is your concern.
I shoot the Missouri coated
Missouri Bullet Company
The ACME coated
44 CAL 240 Grain SWC COATED
or the Rainier plated
LeadSafe Total Copper Jacket Bullet

6.5 grains of Universal under a 240 is a nice 44 special load.

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	696-1Rainier240.jpg (244.3 KB, 16 views)
	696_poster_zpsf67e909a.jpg (57.8 KB, 14 views)

__________________
NEMO
"Everything 44"

Blazer Gold Dot 220 gr. Good practice and carry load.

Nice gun. Get a loading machine and roll your own-it's not rocket science and you will probably enjoy it.

I don't reload because I live in a city where guns have responsibility not people.

Anyway, .44 spl isn't that hard to come by IF you surf the net and pay close attention to "back in stock" emails and special order cases of your favorite kind from you local gun store.

Those Winchester .44 spls are excellent rounds.

I do have one question, however. What's with the dislike of HK speed loaders? I have several of them for my 629 and they work just fine.

Another way to look for bullets (or ammo) is:
GunBot 44cal bullets reloading
GunBot 44special pistol ammo
Some places even pay for shipping if you buy enough.
Flat rate boxes are not bad either if you can fill them up.
Make sure you are nice to your post office deliverer.

__________________
NEMO
"Everything 44"

I'm not a huge fan on how they work. I'm far more accustom to Safariland speed loaders. I know they have been around for ages, but if I had the choice between the two I wouldn't pick the HKS.



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